Man accused of using gun to threaten

Published: Saturday, October 29, 2011 at 6:43 p.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, October 29, 2011 at 6:43 p.m.

A 20-year-old man who was released from prison last month was at the Marion County Jail on Saturday after he was arrested and accused of threatening several people with a gun.

A witnesses told a sheriff’s deputy that Troy Ballard was at an Ocala Ridge Estates residence arguing with a woman. Ballard is accused of pointing a gun at the woman and threatening to kill her.

Deputies were told that Ballard also pointed the gun, described as a silver, semi-automatic handgun, at several other people, saying “someone’s gonna die tonight,” according to a sheriff’s report.

Officials searched the area for Ballard, and he was later apprehended by K-9 Thor. The handgun was recovered not far from where Ballard was taken into custody.

Ballard was taken to Munroe Regional Medical Center for treatment. According to Detective Erik Dice, who interviewed Ballard, the suspect admitted threatening the woman and the others because “he wanted to scare them after he had felt disrespected.”

After being treated for his wounds, Ballard was transported to the jail and booked on charges including aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

Department of Corrections records show Ballard was sentenced Aug. 5, 2009 for battery on a detention facility staff and released Sept. 21, 2011.

<p>A 20-year-old man who was released from prison last month was at the Marion County Jail on Saturday after he was arrested and accused of threatening several people with a gun.</p><p>A witnesses told a sheriff's deputy that Troy Ballard was at an Ocala Ridge Estates residence arguing with a woman. Ballard is accused of pointing a gun at the woman and threatening to kill her.</p><p>Deputies were told that Ballard also pointed the gun, described as a silver, semi-automatic handgun, at several other people, saying “someone's gonna die tonight,” according to a sheriff's report.</p><p>Officials searched the area for Ballard, and he was later apprehended by K-9 Thor. The handgun was recovered not far from where Ballard was taken into custody.</p><p>Ballard was taken to Munroe Regional Medical Center for treatment. According to Detective Erik Dice, who interviewed Ballard, the suspect admitted threatening the woman and the others because “he wanted to scare them after he had felt disrespected.”</p><p>After being treated for his wounds, Ballard was transported to the jail and booked on charges including aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.</p><p>Department of Corrections records show Ballard was sentenced Aug. 5, 2009 for battery on a detention facility staff and released Sept. 21, 2011.</p>